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IEGF funding broadens markets
Unsure how you can use the International Education Growth Fund (IEGF) to help innovate your offering?
We talked to Mike Walmsley, Chief Executive of Code Avengers, about how he has used the IEGF to grow his business.
ENZ: So Mike, what’s Code Avengers all about?
Mike: We have developed an online learning platform that teaches people how to build their own apps, games and websites in a way that is effective and fun as possible.
We are looking to expand into other related subject areas. Starting with a design focus – so, not only how to code software but also how to make it look nice. And, moving on to things like copy writing – making sure the content on your website or app engages learners – and tips on digital marketing that will get people actually using the product!
What has the International Education Growth Fund enabled you to do?
Our IEGF proposal was for internationalising our website. Our online courses contain a whole series of interactive exercises where people actually write code and build products as they learn. Initially, the instructions in these exercises were only available in English and those who didn’t have a reading age above 12 would struggle to follow them.
The fund enabled us to translate the course material into other languages – Russian, Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch! We’re also working on a Japanese translation. Thankfully, we’d developed the material with this in mind, so the translation process has been relatively straightforward.
Dutch is sort of the odd one out there. How that arose, was that one of our customers in the Netherlands offered to translate the content into Dutch while she was on holiday in Thailand. We jumped at the chance, and used that as a translation test case, which was really helpful.
This young woman is now working with us full time on marketing and promoting Code Avengers, including the code camps and clubs that we run. The IEGF funding has also enabled her to promote our products and engage partner organisations in other parts of Europe.
While we’re here, do you have any advice for others considering launching an EdTech business?
In any start up, passion is the key. You’ve got big competition, there are a lot of challenges and it’s not easy. In my case, I’m also doing a PhD part time and have a couple of kids, so that all adds to the challenge. For at least the first year and a half, I didn’t have anyone working with me full time, so really I think it’s the passion that keeps you going. The passion, combined with the feedback you get from customers, means you end up building a product that they like. Those two things are key.
What’s the most rewarding thing about your work?
One is definitely the feedback you get from customers. One customer emailed us saying that for their whole life – for 45 years – they thought they were really bad at maths and useless at learning anything that was quantitative.
After doing our courses, which have quite a bit of math in them, they’re feeling really good about themselves. They said, “for 45 years, I thought I was dumb and now it’s just I’ve been taught in the wrong way.”
Realising that your work can actually have real impact on someone’s life is probably the most satisfying thing.
Find out more about Code Avengers here.
How big are our product and service exports?
As part of the valuation process, a short survey will be sent to relevant members of New Zealand’s international education industry this week.
The survey aims to understand more about the companies and organisations that gain export revenues from providing education products and services offshore, including the type of activities they engage in and the associated revenues. Revenue figures will remain confidential to the researchers and will be aggregated so that it will not be possible to associate any particular entity with the published data.
The survey will enable ENZ to update our 2012 estimate of the value of education exports at $104 million. We encourage industry who receive the survey email to take part in this important data gathering exercise so that the value of your business is accurately reflected.
Exports include the offshore delivery of qualifications, consulting, publishing, education technology and industry training. Exporters of education services comprise education organisations and companies, as well as an increasing number of companies whose primary business is not education, but which undertake training overseas.
If you are an active education exporter and have not received an invitation to participate in the survey by 29 February please get in touch with Adele Bryant.
NZ a popular choice for US students
Colin Murchison from the University of Arkansas was awarded a US$15,000 scholarship to study in New Zealand, which he will use to study finance at the University of Auckland in the first semester of 2016. Watch Colin’s reaction to winning the scholarship here, it’ll definitely put a smile on your face!
More than double the number of applications were received this year than last year, with 2,361 US students showing a keen interest in studying in New Zealand.
“The quality of applications was impressive,” says Amy Rutherford, ENZ’s new Senior Market Development Manager – North America. “Go Overseas’ integrated social media marketing and university outreach campaign ensured that the scholarship – and the idea of studying in New Zealand – was widely promoted across the US.”
The Go Overseas scholarship is one of the first full study abroad scholarships offered to US students by a foreign government and will continue in 2016 and 2017.
Scholarship winner Colin Murchison with cheque and kiwifruit.
“The overall impact on New Zealand from this campaign is immense, and the effects on the education and travel sector will be felt for years,” says Mitch Gordon, CEO Go Overseas. “Students will come home and tell their friends about their experience. Parents will visit their sons and daughters. In the future, students will return to New Zealand to relive memories, bringing partners, children and friends. Thousands of students around the US are right now dreaming about New Zealand and talking about it with their friends!”
Amy will be based in the New Zealand Consulate-General in Los Angeles from the beginning of January next year. If you’d like to discuss the Go Overseas campaign, or the North American market with Amy, please email her at amy.rutherford@enz.govt.nz.
Have you used Immigration New Zealand’s ‘Apply on Behalf’ service?
Education agents are legally allowed to provide immigration advice to offshore student visa applicants only. Education providers can help students complete and upload the forms online, but they are not allowed to provide immigration advice.
To use Apply on Behalf, education agents and providers need to create a RealMe login and also create their own Immigration ONLINE account on the Immigration New Zealand website. The account shows a summary list of applications and PDF versions of application forms and supporting documents that third parties submit to Immigration ONLINE on behalf of students.
Immigration New Zealand has produced a set of information flyers to explain how the Apply on Behalf service works. . Different versions of the flyer have been produced for education agents applying offshore, for education providers, and for students. To see a screen-shot video walk-through of Apply on Behalf online, click here.
On another visa-related note, you might like to encourage your contacts to join the one thousand applicants who are applying for visas electronically every week through Immigration ONLINE. From 7 December 2015, expanded eVisa and VisaView services will become available. Follow this link to find out more.
Download the Apply on Behalf flyers here:
World-class fusion cuisine and culinary skills at Viet Nam gala dinner
The three teams, each consisting of two Vietnamese and two New Zealand students, showcased their culinary skills on stage in front of 170 guests, including New Zealand Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce.
The event was the outcome of two months’ hard work for the three teams, who initially worked together online to develop their menus under the guidance of culinary mentor and 2013 MasterChef New Zealand finalist, Vanessa Baxter. The teams met face-to-face in Ho Chi Minh City on 3 June, and then spent the following three days visiting Vietnamese markets to collect their fresh local produce before finalising their menus at the Caravalle Hotel kitchen.
At the gala dinner, the guests were treated to a selection of dishes from the students’ three-course fusion menus. Meanwhile, the three official judges – Haike Manning, New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam; Le Xuan Tam, Executive Chef, Caravelle Hotel and Brendon Partridge, Executive Chef, JW Marriott Hanoi – sampled all of the student’s dishes throughout the evening.
Decision making was tough and competition was high. Team 1 narrowly missed coming first, and Team 2 won the guest vote.
Minister Joyce announced Team 3 as the overall winner. Their braised lamb shanks with pickled cabbage, potato rosti and reduced jus proved most popular. This team included Jamin Gibson (Auckland University of Technology), Emma Waser (Otago Polytechnic), Phan Văn Lâm (Viet Giao Tourism School), and Nguyễn Ngọc Quân (VATEL International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management).
“It is so amazing that we won the competition,” said Emma Waser. “We gelled so well as a team throughout the whole competition but we worked especially well together on the night.
“We had to delve into each other’s cultures and traditions to come up with our fusion menu. I have learned how important it is to mix it up – to use different flavours and borrow from other traditions and cuisines.
“It has been amazing to come to Viet Nam and see what else is out there in the world – to find out more about different cultures, different people and different food.”
Said Jamin: “I have really enjoyed the food, the friendliness of the people and their hospitality. I definitely want to return to Viet Nam with my wife.”
Nguyễn Ngọc Quân enjoyed learning how to cook lamb the Kiwi way. “I learned to cook lamb the way that is more traditional in New Zealand. Typically the Vietnamese dislike the smell of lamb but our slow cook method and flavours in the lamb shank proved really popular.
“I admired my New Zealand team mates’ techniques and knowledge as well as their ability to think innovatively and creatively,” he said.
The gala dinner was the result of the New Zealand – Viet Nam Culinary Collaboration, an initiative that came out of the New Zealand – Viet Nam Strategic Plan on Education signed in November 2015. The plan is designed to deepen the level of engagement between the two countries and enrich students’ learning.
“The New Zealand – Viet Nam Culinary Collaboration is yet another example of the growing education relationship between our two countries,” said ENZ Chief Executive, Grant McPherson.
“While it has been fantastic to see the outstanding teamwork between the students, the gala dinner was also an opportunity to showcase New Zealand institutions’ vocational expertise and our education system’s world-renowned practical application of skills which prepare students for the working world.”
Grant emphasised that everyone involved in the collaboration was a winner.
Team 1 included Ryan Prouting (Ara, Institute of Canterbury), Tuainekore Taringa (NZMA), Trịnh Xuân Hoàng (Viet Giao Tourism School), and Nguyen Thuy Tra Giang (VATEL International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management).
Team 2 included Ella Ritson-Jones (Southern Institute of Technology), Jamie Bell (Wellington Institute of Technology), Dương Nhật Huy (Viet Giao Tourism School) and Phan Trong Bao Chau (VATEL International Business School Hotel & Tourism Management).
ENZ Emirates Airline promotion launches in Saudi Arabia
This promotion builds on a successful #YourSummerinNZ competition, which concluded on 5 June with the award of six prizes to study in New Zealand. The winners receive full scholarships to study English language at one of the six sponsoring New Zealand English language schools for up to six weeks, including return flights to New Zealand and accommodation.
The Emirates Airline promotional discount offer is on flights to New Zealand, booked from 1 June until 31 August, departing from Riyadh, Jeddah, Medinah, and Dammam. To redeem the offer, students need to use an infographic posted on ENZ’s Arabic Twitter page – @nzeducationsa.
“We are delighted to partner with Emirates Airline in promoting New Zealand as the premium destination for English-language students,” says John Laxon, ENZ’s Middle East Regional Director.
“Saudi students can now fly direct from Dubai to New Zealand via Emirates, and enter New Zealand visa-free when studying for up to 12 weeks.”
The flight promotion, and competition, are targeted to students looking at summer abroad study, given the longer summer holiday period in 2016.
New Zealand Ambassador, Hamish MacMaster, announced the Saudi #YourSummerinNZ scholarship winners: Abdullah Al Fifi (New Zealand Language Centres), Thamer Albugmi (Worldwide School of English), Ali Al Shahrani (Academic Colleges Group), Mohammed AlQabbaa (Southern Lakes English Language College), Majed Alzahrani (Languages International), and Fahad Alfifi (The Campbell Institute).
“The #YourSummerinNZ competition was a great success,” says Ambassador MacMaster.
“More than 3,000 entrants promoted New Zealand on ENZ’s dedicated Arabic-language Twitter channel – @nzeducationsa. ENZ now has more than 38,000 followers on its Twitter page, where students can find out how great it is to study in New Zealand.”
ENZ will continue a series of promotional and marketing initiatives during the summer period, and any providers looking to partner on further promotions can contact: rachel.simpson@enz.govt.nz
A new group of US Kiwi Ambassadors
Welcome Kiwi Ambassadors!
It was so difficult that ENZ decided the group of runners-up would be offered the chance to be ‘Honorary’ Kiwi Ambassadors. This meant they could still share their semester experience in New Zealand through the Study in New Zealand Instagram.
The #StudyinNZ page will therefore shortly welcome the next round of Kiwi Ambassadors, the 13 award recipients, and a further group of 29 Honorary Kiwi Ambassadors when they arrive in New Zealand in July.
The Instagram page has quickly become a hit with the US students and has already attracted almost 15,000 followers. Certainly, as you can see if you view the page, the current Kiwi Ambassadors have had no trouble finding picturesque opportunities during their semester in New Zealand! Images of nature, food, sunsets and wildlife predominate.
ENZ’s staff in the US, Amy Rutherford and Alanna Dick, have found the #StudyinNZ Instagram page a powerful tool in promoting New Zealand as an education destination.
“When I suggest students and study abroad advisors follow Study In New Zealand on Instagram, the conversation about studying abroad in New Zealand continues long after the study fair or campus visit is over,” says Alanna.
“It’s one thing me telling students what it’s like studying in New Zealand, it’s another when the students can see it in real time for themselves!”
More about the Awards
Education New Zealand partnered with the eight New Zealand universities and six institutes of technology and polytechnics to offer these awards as part of their support of the Institute of International Education’s Generation Study Abroad initiative, and its aim of doubling the number of US students who study abroad.
For Semester Two this year, ENZ awarded four US students the $2,000 Generation Study Abroad Travel Award to cover their airfare. The students are attending the University of Auckland, the University of Otago, and EcoQuest, a Private Training Establishment.
The universities awarded nine US students New Zealand Universities Excellence Awards (NZUEAs) which cover $500 of tuition fees and other associated costs. The students come from universities all over the US, from University of Florida to California Polytechnic State University.
Japanese Game On English Rugby clinic a big success
The rugby clinic was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in partnership with ENZ as an offshore programme of GOE Rugby.
GOE Rugby was launched by Prime Ministers Shinzō Abe and John Key in July 2014 in response to the Japanese government’s goal to improve the English language skills, and boost the sporting capacity of Japan’s young people, in preparation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and 2020 Olympics. See here for more details on GOE Rugby.
Two coaches were selected from GOE’s partner rugby unions to lead the clinic: John Haggart, International High Performance Manager, Canterbury Rugby Football Union; and Clayton McMillan, Head Coach, Bay of Plenty Rugby Football Union.
The two coaches jointly led the Tokyo programme. This included a rugby clinic at Aoyama Elementary School, a press conference, and a reception hosted by New Zealand Ambassador Mark Sinclair and held at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo. Among the 150 guests were Panasonic head coach Robbie Deans, Japanese rugby legend Demi Sakata, sports-related government officials including former Vice Minister Shinichi Yamanaka, and business leaders including Adidas Japan president Paul Hardisty.
John Haggart and Clayton McMillan then travelled to Sapporo and Fukuoka respectively to lead the rugby clinic, supported by the host city and rugby club. More than 100 pupils attended the clinic in Fukuoka and 234 pupils in Sapporo.
“The feedback was very positive and it was a great occasion for ENZ to showcase the GOE programme on the ground for students to consider New Zealand as a study destination,” said Misa Pitt, ENZ’s Senior Market Development Manager in Japan.
ENZ has plans for other GOE initiatives for later in the year.
“We are picking up great momentum for GOE activities here in Japan,” said Misa. “We will have more updates to share in the coming months.”
Above: At the Fukuoka clinic
Above: At the Sapporo clinic
A taste of New Zealand
Kicking off on 20 May, proceedings got underway with an invitation-only event, hosted by New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Philippines, David Strachan.
ENZ engaged a number of successful New Zealand alumni for media interviews and delivered a keynote presentation to a highly engaged crowd at the Glorietta Mall, Makati City venue.
The ENZ booth was particularly busy over the three days. A number of prospective students came prepared with specific questions, with many focusing on postgraduate study options.
The Experience NZ event also coincided with the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic ties between New Zealand and the Philippines.
This event was the latest in a series of in-market ENZ activities in the Philippines. It followed a successful agent seminar in Manila earlier this year.
A second agent seminar is being held in Cebu on 14 July and is now open for registration.
Education initiatives during Indian President's visit
President Shri Pranab Mukherjee of India and Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister, Steven Joyce, launched the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) on Monday 2 May to an audience of 150 Indian students and staff from the AUT. The awards are the outcome of a joint campaign between all eight universities and ENZ, and offers scholarships to Indian students to study Level 7+ courses in the fields of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), business and fashion.
The NZEA scholarships were promoted in India at a high profile media event attended by ENZ Chief Executive, Grant McPherson; the NZ High Commissioner to India, HE Grahame Morton and ENZ Brand Ambassador, Stephen Fleming on 4 May 2016.